: | Exodus Brothers | What happens when the only world you’ve ever known tells you who you are allowed to be? In this episode we talk with Lilia Tarawa, who was born and raised inside the isolated Gloriavale Christian Cult in New Zealand — a place built on strict obedience,…
: | Lilia Tarawa | Leaving a religious cult, fundamentalist church, or high-control faith environment doesn’t always bring the relief people expect. For many people raised in evangelical, fundamentalist, or authoritarian religious systems, the effects of religious trauma, church harm, and faith-based harm don’t show up right away. They often surface…
: | NZ Herald | Newstalk ZB South Island News Director Claire Sherwood on company director links to illegal lottery and Gloriavale school shutdown. Commences at 2.08…
: | The Kotodama Podcast | Ep.21 | What happens when the place that raised you also abused and silenced you? In this deeply moving episode of the Kotodama Podcast, I sat down with Lilia Tarawa — bestselling author, brand coach, and former member of the infamous Gloriavale cult. Born into…
: | Stella Crime | Behind the peaceful image of rural New Zealand lies Gloriavale — a closed religious group where every aspect of life is controlled. Men, women, and children live under strict rules, limited contact with the outside world, and unquestioned authority. Former members describe psychological pressure, loss of…
: | 1News | Ryan Boswell | More than two decades after Auckland’s Centrepoint community was shut down, one survivor says New Zealand is still failing to protect people from high-control groups. Caroline Ansley, who lived at Centrepoint as a child, is joining forces with other cult survivors and their supporters…
: | Cults to Consciousness | Lilia Tarawa | Following up our incredible interview with Lilia Tarawa, today we go LIVE with her to further discuss what it was like escaping the Gloriavale cult. Founded by her grandfather, who was inspired by the Amish in the US, Gloriavale became an isolated…
: | Cults to Consciousness | Lilia Tarawa | Lilia Tarawa was raised in an isolated community in New Zealand started by her grandfather, called Gloriavale. Inspired by the Amish in the US, he implemented communal living, strict gender roles and even identical uniforms for its members. The numbers grew rapidly,…
: | Stuff | Paddy Gower | Ex-member Theophila Pratt believes Gloriavale’s teenagers will reshape the sect. With knowledge of the outside world and legal rights, she says the next generation could destroy the community’s way of thinking and living. Gloriavale is facing a population explosion of teenagers who will rise…
: |1News | Ryan Boswell | Parents of students who attended Gloriavale Christian School will still have “a range of options” for their children’s education, the Ministry of Education says. The ministry advised the West Coast Christian community on Thursday that it had decided to cancel the private school’s registration from January 23. Acting Hautū…
![Escaping New Zealand’s Gloriavale: Cult Leader’s Granddaughter Exposes ALL [2]](https://www.gloriavaleleavers.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025.12.29_Lilia_Tarawa.jpg)
![Daughter of Gloriavale: My Life in a Religious Cult [1]](https://www.gloriavaleleavers.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025.12.27_Lilia_Tarawa.jpg)
